Actor John Neville dies at 86

Did stints as artistic director at Edmonton and Halifax theatres

Actor John Neville arrives at the premiere of Spider during the 2002 Toronto International Film Festival. Neville, a Shakespearean actor and stage director, also appeared in the hit TV series The X-Files. (Aaron Harris/Canadian Press)

John Neville, a veteran Canadian actor and stage director who appeared in a multitude of productions, including the hit TV series The X-Files, has died at the age of 86.

Neville, who was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, died in Toronto Saturday surrounded by family, said a statement from the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, where Neville worked as an artistic director in the 1980s.

Neville appeared in dozens of movies, television shows and theatre productions during a career that spanned six decades.

His career experienced a big lift when he was cast in the title role in the 1988 film The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. Although the film was a financial failure, Neville's performance was well-received and it led to a plethora of film and television roles.

John Neville contributed to theatre across Canada, including at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Here, he appears as Don Armado in a 1984 Stratford production of Love's Labour's Lost. (David Cooper/Stratford Shakespeare Festival)

Perhaps the one that gave him the most prominence came in the '90s when he landed the recurring role of the "The Well-Manicured Man" in the The X-Files.

He also did stints as artistic director for Edmonton's Citadel Theatre in the 1970s and of Halifax's Neptune Theatre from 1978 to 1983.

Charisma and charm

"John Neville was a superb actor, an outstanding director and a terrific artistic leader of our Festival," Des McAnuff, the current artistic director of the Stratford festival, said in a statement.

"His charisma and charm were matched by the generosity of his spirit."

Neville was born in England, emigrating to Canada in 1972 and later he became a citizen.

He was named a member of the Order of Canada in 2006 for his work in Canadian theatre and drama. He became an officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1965.

Neville received one Gemini nomination in 1999 in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role category for his performance in the 1998 TV series Emily of New Moon.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Caroline, six children and six grandchildren.

A private funeral is to be held immediately and plans for a memorial are to be announced in the new year, the statement said.